The ICJ calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) strongly condemns the decision of the Second
Criminal Court of Damascus to convict Mr. Muhannad Al-Hasani, ICJ Commissioner and
prominent Syrian lawyer and human rights defender, sentencing him to three years
imprisonment. He was arrested on 28 July by officers of the Syrian General Intelligence
Service and formally charged by an Investigating Judge on 12 October 2009 for "weakening
national sentiments and encouraging racist and sectarian feelings", and "transferring false and
exaggerated news that weaken national sentiments" under Articles 285, 286 and 287 of the Penal Code.
